Texas: New Women's Health Program Can Meet Demand

The Texas Health and Human Services commissioner says his agency can meet the demand of providing family planning services to poor women without Planned Parenthood clinics.

On Jan. 1 the state cut off funding to Planned Parenthood clinics that were providing check-ups and birth control to 48,000 women a year. Republican leaders cut off all funding to groups that support abortion rights.

The federal government cut off funding to the state, saying it was illegal to deny a woman the right to choose her doctor.

Commissioner Kyle Janek said Monday that women who went to Planned Parenthood should have no problem finding a new doctor.

Critics of the policy have contended a doctor shortage would make it difficult for poor women to find treatment from non-Planned Parenthood facilities.